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Microbial control in the personal care market
Preservatives are added to personal care products to prevent spoilage resulting from microbial growth. While consumers assume that personal care products are safe to use and effective over long periods of time, these products contain water, proteins and other ingredients that foster microorganism growth
Without preservatives, products would rapidly degrade and could be unsafe for users unless they were refrigerated or sold in single-use packaging which is not practical, sustainable or cost-effective.
Interest in “Natural” Preservation Major companies that are committed to using science-based information to evaluate the safety and efficacy of their products continue to rely on preservatives for controlling microorganisms in personal care products. While experts agree that an effective natural replacement for preservatives has yet to enter the market, the number of consumers interested in living a “greener” lifestyle continues to grow, putting pressure on formulators and finished goods marketers to meet demand for “natural” or “preservative-free” products. According to David Steinberg, a
preservatives expert and industry consultant, there are a host of reasons why natural preservatives are not a viable or safer solution for microbial control, including1
:
• Most active ingredients in nature have a narrow spectrum of activity against microorganisms. They do not protect against the microorganisms that pose the greatest risks to personal care products and their users
• Natural ingredients are not effective at low concentrations. The short list of natural ingredients shown to have any preservative effect require high concentrations to work. Conventional preservatives are very effective at lower use levels - sometimes 100-fold lower levels
• Products that occur in nature typically have colours and odours, making them unsuitable for cosmetic use
• A product that is found in nature isn’t automatically safe to use. Man-made compounds are often safer and more consistent than natural products
• Personal care products must be protected against microbes from manufacturing through use. Natural products are often not stable and effective enough to handle this assault
Preservative Safety While the role preservatives play in protecting human health is clear, it’s also important that consumers understand the thorough review process these materials go through to ensure they do not pose risks to individuals or the environment. Preservatives undergo rigorous testing before they enter the market, including a complete range of toxicology studies to verify that skin contact with or inhalation of the preservative is unlikely to cause harm when used as directed.2
Regulations across the Globe Various scientific and regulatory organisations are also involved with assessing the safety of preservatives and establishing guidelines for proper use. The regulatory framework for the regulation of preservatives falls within two primary definitions3
:
• A broad definition of cosmetics with safety focused on controls through lists (positive, prohibited and restricted) and specific requirements on safety testing
• A narrow definition of cosmetics with few restrictions on the ingredients and the type of safety testing
The European Union follows the broad definition while the US follows the narrow definition.
Japan and Canada fall in between. While preservatives are a small part of the
ingredients used by personal care manufacturers, they are important from a risk perspective. Preservatives protect products and people. Many of the preservatives on the market today are globally approved and supported by years of research and safe and effective use. The marketplace’s needs for
preservation will continue to evolve in the coming years, and the industry is committed to meeting those needs with innovative technologies and responsible products. Authors: Jose Mosquera and Henry Chin, Dow Microbial Control
1. Steinberg, David C. Preservatives for Cosmetics. 2nd ed. Allured Publishing Corporation, 2006. 2.
http://www.colipa.eu/safety-a-science-colipa-the- european-cosmetic-cosmetics-association/safety-in- cosmetics/
the-general-approach-to-safety-assessment.html 3.
Cosmeticsinfo.org
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